Toilet



Aug. 13, 1935. T. BENNETT ET AL TOILET Filed April 28, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 #3 an $54; L

/) TTOA A E 45.

-Aug. 13, 1935. T BE NETT ETAL 2,011,511

TOILET Filed April 28, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Aug. 13, 1935 TOILET Thomas Bennett, Perry, and John W. ll ortenbaugh, Bnifalo, N. Y., assignors to Kaustine Company, Inc., Perry, N. Y. Y

pplication April28, 1934, Serial No. 722,958

8 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in waterless toilets of the kind including a chemical or aseptic solution tank for the reception of sewage. Our invention has especial utility in connection with railroad cars, buses, and other conveyances, although our improved toilet can be used to advantage in other locations.

The objects of the invention are to provide a toilet of the character stated which shall consist f r. of acompachunitary structure such that the solution tank-and connections between the same and the bowl of .the toilet may be' readily installed and adequately supported in the necessarilyshallow space beneath the floor of a railroad caror other vehicle; also to provide a toilet of this kind in which splashingand surging of the solution from the tank into the bowl during the'use of the toilet isprevented in'an improved manner; in which sewage receiving and splashpreventing; means of improved and simplified construction are employed; 'in which'su'ch means are constructed so as to facilitate the assembly and mounting thereof in and the removal thereof from the toilet; in whichisuch means and the support therefor maybe'constructed as a simple and rugged unit which can be separately assembled -and detachably secured in and removed or renewed whennecessaryyand with which easy operation of the sewage-receiving and splashpreventing means may be positively and automatically effected to-place said means in operative-position when the toilet is to be used by the raising of the toilet cover or analogous member, and which means are automatically returnable 5:11 to an inoperative position by gravity when th seat or like member is lowered.

Various other objects and advantages will be.

apparent from the following description of one embodiment of the invention, the novel features "of which will be particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

An embodiment of the invention, as used in connection with a railroad car or the :like conveyance, is illustrated in the accompanyingdrawsings, in which:

Fig.1 is a side elevation, partly in section, on line |-l of Fig. 4 of our improved toilet mounted on the floor of a railroad car or conveyance, the

various parts being in the position occupied when ?the toilet is not in use; g 'i Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the parts in tion on line 2--2 of Fig. 5; a Fig. 3 is a horizontal section thereof, on an position for use,'the figure being partly in "sec- 'ienlarged scale, taken on line 33 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 4 isa iragmentary, vertical section thereof, on an enlarged scale, taken approximately 'onthe line 4-4 of Fig. 1,1and

Fig. 5 is a similar view taken onthe line 5.5 I

In the embodiment illustrated, our improved toilet includes a bowl I!) or usual or standard construction having at the rear thereof a vent chamber H, connecting at its upper end withian upright vent pipe or duct I2 Thevent chamber H may be ,formed by the provision'of an upright .partition l3 extending across therear portionof the bowl; and having its lower edgeterminating near the ,bottom of the latter, The toilet may also be provided with the .-usual annular seat or member l5 and a-cover l6,both-of whichniay be conveniently pivoted at the rear of the bowl upon hinges I! in the usual manner;

The lower portion of the bowl is provided with an exterior horizontal flange, l8 which rests upon the floor IQ of the car or other support'and extends about an opening .29 in the latter, and depending from said flange I8 is a marginal bottom flange or skirt 2|, which extendsinto said openi ingZfl. I

The floor l9 may be supported upon anyusual or suitable frame members or joists, horizontal channel members 22 being shown, each of which includes upper and! lower horizontal flanges 2 3 connected'by a vertical web.

Arranged immediately belowthe floor members or joists22 is a solution ta nk 24 which preferably is of relatively shallow Iconstruction and'may be of rectangular form having side walls' 25, the upper edges 25a of which are'turned outwardly and are welded to "a top plate or wall 2G, The lower edges of said side wallsare connected by a bottom plate or wall 21' which, if desired, maybe integral with the side walls, andsaid bottom wall 21 is preferably inclined and provided with a detachable closure member or drain 28," a portionof which is shown in Fig- 4." The tank' is completed by upright end walls 29. The to'p wall 26 of the tank is formed with an opening'3ll which is alignedwithand corresponds approximately in'si'ze' to the bottom open-f ing 3| of the bowl Hi, which opening-is defined by the bottom annular flange 2| thereof.

Projecting upwardlyifrom ands'ecuredtd'the collar or annular flange 35 which extends': through the floor opening about the flange 2| of the bowl In view of the limited space available beneath the floors of railroad cars and the like conveyances,-the shallow solution-tank 24 is disposed so thatits top wall 26' abuts against the bottom.

" v the combined vertical dimensions of the'floor l9 and floor supporting or frame members 22.

Obviously when a toilet of this type is installed in arailroad car, bus or other conveyance,

the solution in the tank is often subjected to more or less violent surging or disturbance, such as to tend .to' splash some of the solution upwardly f through the collar 35into the bowl l0, and in order toreduce or substantially prevent this objectionable fe'ature during the use of the toilet,-

we have provided improved novel means which are automatically'operable, preferably by the act of raising the seat cover I6, to form an obstruction extending sub'stantially across the area of the collar 35/ .This obstruction acts to intercept any solution tending =to-.pass"from the tank to the bowl during the use of the latter and said 7 means also act, when in this position-to receive and retain sewage and prevent it from being in- .troduced into the solution during the use ofithe also automatically act, afterthe use of the toilet and the lowering of the seatcover Hi, to move to a position in which the-sewagereceiving portions thereof will depend into the solution in sewage therefrom.

V In the particular embodiment of the invention illustrated, the means above mentioned includes circular form such that when moved to hori- 7 zontal sewage-receiving position, they will ex tend in the same plane and form a substantially circular obstruction extending across and consionsjor form of the space within the collar 35. Each of the plates 40is rigidly secured to a horizontal rock shaftor pivot. which is rotatably journalledi in bearinglugsor brackets 42 extend- 'ing inwardly from the lower edge portion of a second'annular collar or member 43 which is of substantially the same vertical dimensions as V the fixed collar 35, and is ofsuch size in a horithe collar 35. The collar 43 is preferably detachably secured to the' collar 35 by suitable bolts ,or other fastenings 44. r I

Rigidly secured to each of the rock shafts The parts just described are so arranged and positioned that the rod 49 may extend upwardly within the collars 43 and 35 and through the vent chamber ll, passing thence through a hole 50 in I 1;the top rear portion of the bowl, I!) where it tertoilet with consequent splashing. 'Said means the tank to facilitate the dislodgement of the aplurality of drop plates 40, twoof which are shown and each of which are preferably of semi-' forming approximately to thehorizontal dimeng zontal direction that; it may. fit snugly within 4l' is a short crank or rock arm45 to the free, endof which is pivoted alink;46,' and the link foreach of the rock shafts in turn has itsother .end secured bya pivot/48 to the lower end of a 7 ;com mon operating member which ispreferably ;i;in the form ,of an uprightrod or'rigid bar 49. 1

minates, as shown, somewhat above and in the rear of the hinges I1. V

When the toilet is, notin use and the seat 15 and cover l6 are in theirlower horizontal posi- 7 tions, the combined weight ofthe drop plates 40, links 46 and the rod 49 willact to cause the rock shafts to turn until the drop plates assume by gravity the, upright positions shown in Fig s. 1 and 4, and in which the rod 49 will be in its up per position, as indicated clearly in Fig. 1.

. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the'cover I6 is provided uponits upper or outer face and preferably near the rear portion thereof-with an offset part or projection 52, which is so disposed that when the cover 15 is raised, said part 52 will be moved 'rearwardly about the hinges I! into such position that it will engage the upper end of the rod 49 and depress the same to such an extent that, through the links 46, the rock arms 45, rock shafts 4| the drop plates 4ll will be swung bodily in unison from the position shown in Figs. 1' and 4 to the position shown in iFigsJZ, 3 and'5, with the resultthat the'drop plates 40 will now be in 'a transverse position extending in a common plane across and substantially-filling the passage" or opening defined by the collars 35 and 43."

When the drop'plateshave been moved to the position. just described, they will be disposed above the level of the solution ln'the tank and will not only act to preventpassage of the solution upwardly into the-bowl by the surging action causedby movement of the conveyance, but will I also act to intercept'the passage of sewage into the solution and thereby prevent objectionable splashing'of the solution into thebowldurlng the use of the-toilet. a g The subsequent, lowering of the cover l6 to closed position will, in the manner described, cause the drop plates to again assume their'substa'ntially upright positions'shown in Figs. 1' and 4, in which they extend into the solution in such a way that the sewage on theplates will be readily dislodged.

.The aforementionedconnections between theoperating rod 49 and the plates 40 constitutela toggle mechanism, such that the force required to r movethe plates out of the solutioninto sewagereceiving position gradually, lessens as'the pivotal connection'at 48 moves downwardly from the position shown in Fig. 4; and the links 46 almost assume a deadcenter position. *Thus only a slightpressure is required from the cover to keep the plates in sewage-receiving. position and'consequently, no particular effort is required to hold the cover in upright position. 1.

Even should the cover I6 be left in an upright 3 or open position in which the drop plates. remain in crosswise position, the movement of the train or conveyance together withthe weight of the drop plates and associated parts and the toggle connections described will cause the cover |61to fall to its closed position, and thereby permit the droplplates40 to swing about their pivots intoxtheir upright positions extending into the" solution.

It will be seen from the foregoing description that the operative parts of the toilet are all of relatively simple and ruggedconstruction co'nsisting of a few parts which are readily and 'posi- 'tively operated with little. effort to perform their intended'functions.

Also by mounting the pivots M for the drop plates in the detachable'colla'r 43 and connecting all of the movable parts in such a way that they 7 are all arranged. inthe collar and supported on ill plurality '.of rockishafts interposed between said the rock shafts'or pivots 4|,Ithe entire-operating mechanism including the operatingrod 49"can be assembledasia unit in the collarcfllthereby enabling, the entire unit to be installed by, in-v sertingthe collar'g43 in and, securing ittoythethem so that when moved to their sewage-receiving position, they, may together form in effect a continuous plate or, obstruction substantiallynfilling theopening-in the collar 43.- These;;drop plates, when in their vertical or depending positions, will extend only a relatively short distance below their, pivots and the adjacent collar 43.

1 This results from the fact that the rock shaftsor pivots 4| are arranged approximately in or only slightly below the plane of the bottom fianges 23 of the floor members and extend parallel to the diametrical edges of the plates and across inter-, mediate portions of said plates, so that said shafts form a chord to the circumferential edges of said plates. Thus a relatively shallow solution tank 24 can be utilized since the top thereof can be attached directly to said flanges, while the diametrical edges of the plates are supported well above the bottom of the tank, when the plates are in their upright positions, as shown and described.

We claim as our invention:

1. In a toilet, the combination of a bowl, a solution tank below and in communication with the bottom of said bowl, an upright rod, a drop plate mounted upon a pivot beneath said bowl so as to depend by gravity from said pivot in a substantially upright position extending into the solution in said tank, a link pivoted at one end to the lower end of said rod and having at its other end an operative connection with said drop plate so that, by axially depressing said rod, said plate will move out of said solution and swing into a position for receivingv sewage and for preventing splashing of solution from said tank into said bowl, and whereby said drop plate will return to its upright pendant position by gravity when said rod is released and will raise said rod to its upright former position.

2. In a toilet, the combination of a bowl having a hinged cover, a solution tank below and in communication with the bottom of said bowl, an upright rod extending into proximity to said cover, drop plate mounted upon a pivot beneath said bowl so as to depend by gravity from said pivot in a substantially upright position extending into the solution in said tank, a link pivoted at one end to the lower end of said rod and having at its other end an operative connection with said drop plate, and a part on said cover, which when said cover is raised, directly engages and depresses said rod lengthwise of itself. and effects a swinging movement of said drop plate out of said solution to a position for receiving sewage and for preventing splashing of solution from said tank into said bowl, and whereby when said cover is lowered and said part thereon is moved out of engagement with said rod said drop plate will return by gravity into its former upright pendant; position and will raise said rod.

3. In a toilet, the combination of a bowl having a hinged cover, a solution tank below and in communication with the bottomcf said bowl, a

bowl and tank and each having fixed thereon a dropplate which normally depends from "its.

pivot by gravity and assumes a substantiallyup- I rightfpositlon extending intosaid solution', a :-2

crank arm-on each rock shaft, 'a pluralitybf links each pivoted'at' one. end to'one of said crank arms and having their other-ends pivoted to thelower end of 'a common operating rod ex= tending into proximity to said" cover, said rod beingen'gageable by apart on said cover when the latter is raised so as to be depressed directly by said-part and therebyactuate said cranks through said links to turn said rock shafts and swing their attached drop plates into a substantially common planefor receiving sewage, and

said drop plates together forming an obstruction between said tank and bowl to prevent splashing of solution from said tank into-said bowL-t 4. In a toilet, solution tank below said bowl, a collar interposed between said bowl and tank and aifording communication therebetween, mounted upon and extending crosswise of said collar, a drop plate fixed to each of said pivots and normally depending from its pivot and assuming a substantially; upright position by gravity, a crank on each pivot, and a link connecting. each crank with a common operating rod extending upwardly within said collar into proximity to said bowl, whereby by depression of said rod said drop plates may swing intoa position within said collar such as to substantially cut oil communication between said tank and bowl, and in which position said drop plates may receive sewage thereon and prevent splashing of solution from said tank into said bowl.

5. In a toilet, the combination of a bowl, a solution tank below said bowl, a relatively fixed collar connecting said bowl and tank and aifordthe combination of a bowl, a

horizontal pivots of said rod said drop plates may swing into a position for receiving sewage and for preventing splashing of solution from said tank into said bowl, and means for detachably securing said second collar to said first collar so that said the bottom of said bowl with an opening in said top wall of said tank, horizontal, rotatable pivots extending across said collar and having rigidly secured thereto drop plates, which in one position of said pivots depend into the solution in said tank and in another position of said pivots extend crosswise of said collar and together form an obstruction therein substantially shutting ofi said tank from said bowl and act to receive sewage, and means arranged within said collar and 'operatively connecting said pivots with an operating mer nber' extending upwardly within-said '5 collar and. abovesaid floor toia-position adjacent said bowl for turning said pivots toshift said drop plates from one position to another.

.- 7, In a toilet, thecombination of aibowl, ransohit/101i; tank below and in communication with the i 7 bottom of said bowl, 2., pluralityv of drop plates pivotally mounted beneath said bowl so asto as.-

" sume by g ravity substantially upright positions bowland out of said solution; links having one' r I 7 end thereof pivotally connected with a drop plate,

in which portions of said plates extendfinto the [solution in said tank, and said plates being mov able into sewage-receiving positions under said the other endsof said links being connected to acomm'on pivotal membeiyand a rod arranged to apply force to said common pivotal member to effect raising of said plates into sewage-receiviing positions bya toggle action. of said links;

8. In a toilet, the combination of a bowl, a solution tank below and in communication with the bottom of sai'dibowlfa pair of drop plates pivot:- ally mounted-beneath said bowl so as'tolassume by gravityhpositions in which portions of said' drop plates extend into the solution in said tank; and said plates being movable out of said po'sition into sewage-receivingpositionsunder said bowl, aipairrof linkseach havingrone end connected with a drop plate, saicllinks having their other ends pivotally connected with eacli'other and with a rod which'is movable to produce a tog- V THOMAS BENNETT.

JOHN W. FORTEiNBAUGHI; 1 

